Ridgecrest, CA Swimming Pools & Spas: Fencing & Safety Requirements (2026)

Ridgecrest is unusual among California cities in maintaining its own local protective-enclosure ordinance in addition to the state code. 1 (Chapter XI, Swimming Pools and Artificial Bodies of Water) requires every person who owns or possesses premises within the city containing a swimming pool, fish pond, wading pool, or any outside body of water created by artificial means with a water depth of 18 inches or more in any portion to maintain a fence, wall, or other adequate structure completely surrounding the water. Per the city ordinance, the enclosure must be at least five feet in height and contain no openings large enough to admit a child except through doors or gates.

This local 18-inch depth trigger is stricter than the state's typical 18-inch threshold and applies to ornamental water features as well as swimming pools. On top of the local ordinance, the Ridgecrest Building Department (located at 100 W California Ave) enforces the 2022 California Building Standards Code, which adopts Health & Safety Code §115923. State law requires the barrier to be at least 60 inches high measured from the side facing away from the pool, with bottom clearance not exceeding 2 inches above grade, no openings allowing a 4-inch sphere to pass, chain-link mesh maximum 1 3/4 inches, and a smooth outside face without handholds or footholds.

Gates must open outward away from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch release at least 60 inches above the ground. Per HSC §115922, a building permit issued for a new pool or substantial remodel at a single-family home requires installation of at least two of seven drowning prevention features: an enclosure meeting §115923; an ASTM F2286 removable mesh fence with key-lockable gate; an ASTM F1346 approved safety cover; exit alarms on house doors with direct pool access; self-closing, self-latching devices on those house doors with release at least 54 inches above the floor; an ASTM F2208 pool alarm; or other independently verified equivalent protection.

Because Ridgecrest sits adjacent to China Lake NAWS in a high desert climate, both portable above-ground pools and permanent in-ground pools are subject to these rules whenever water depth reaches 18 inches.